Hearts were relegated on Saturday despite coming from behind to secure a 4-2 win over Partick Thistle at Firhill in an afternoon of drama in the Scottish Premiership.
Two late goals for St Mirren at home to Motherwell sealed a 3-2 win for the Buddies and moved them 18 points clear of Hearts, who were docked 15 points at the beginning of the season for entering administration, with just five games remaining.
Hearts' sensational second half display had looked to have given the Jambos another stay of execution before news filtered through of Steven Thompson's 87th minute winner for St Mirren that sealed their fate.
It ends a 31-year stay in Scotland's top flight for the Tynecastle club and heaps further misery on Hearts, who could be liquidated unless Monday's meeting of their Lithuanian creditors agrees to transfer the majority shareholding of their parent company UBIG to a fans rescue group bankrolled by Edinburgh businesswoman Ann Budge.
Hearts manager Gary Locke said he couldn't have asked for anything more from his players.
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"I thought we were outstanding apart from the first 15 minutes when we lost a sloppy goal. After that it was probably our best performance of the season," a dejected Locke said.
"We are really disappointed but with the backing we have at this football club from our supporters we will certainly bounce back. We faced a big battle today but our biggest battle is Monday and everyone connected with the football club is just desperately praying that everything goes well."
Celtic dealt Dundee United's European ambitions a blow as the Scottish champions eased to a 2-0 victory at Tannadice.
The defeat was only United's third in all competitions since the turn of the year and leaves Jackie McNamara's side six points behind Motherwell in the chase for third place and a European spot.
